Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now then, we must understand first of all, that our Lord will not come down from heaven visibly to speak unto us: for that were not for our benefit. In deed many men are of that mind that they would fain have God to send them his Angels: and they think it a matter of no great authority that a man which is but a frail creature and but an earthen pot, should go up into the pulpit: but yet doth God know it to be for our behoof. And therefore we must understand, that forasmuch as the Jews found by experience that it was a dreadful thing to them to hear God speak: it behoved God to alter that manner of declaring himself, and to send Moses unto them. Therewithal let us mark also that Gods authorising of the Law was not for the Jews only; but to the end that we also at this day should receive the same with all humbleness, and understand that whosoever despiseth it, advanceth himself against the majesty of the living God, and maketh war against him. That is the thing which we have to remember where mention is made of the terribleness of Gods voice, and of the fire that filled the air. And thereupon let us mark (as hath been treated of already), that God promised a Prophet, not only to the Jews, but also to us; and that it is a continual order in his Church. So then, will we be reckoned for the children of God? Let us suffer our selves to be governed by his word. Yea, and let us not hold scorn to hear men that speak to us in his name. But although they be from among us and of our own company, so as we might allege that we owe them no such duty as in respect of their persons: yet notwithstanding seeing they be set in Gods steed, and by his will; let that suffice us. And if we intend to honour God, and to have him to reign over us: it behoveth us to show it in this case, by yielding such obedience to his word, as those whom he sendeth to us be heard of us. And hereof we see what is said by the Prophet Isaiah.¹ For like as Moses had foretold that God would raise up a Prophet: so that Prophet Isaiah sayeth that at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in the time of his reign▪ God would put his word into his mouth, & into the mouth of his seed, and of his children's children. This thing then ceased not when the Gospel was published throw the world: but rather it was newly confirmed, as I have also showed before.

Now then, we must vnderstand first of al, that our Lorde will not come downe from heauen visiblie to speake vnto vs: for that were not for our benefite. In deede many men are of that minde that they would faine haue God to sende them his Angels: and they thinke it a matter of no great authoritie that a man which is but a fraile creature and but an earthen pot, shoulde goe vp into the pulpet: but yet doth God know it to bee for our behoofe. And therefore wee must vnderstand, that forasmuch as the Iewes found by experience that it was a dreadfull thing to them to heare God speake: it behoued God to alter that manner of declaring himselfe, and to send Moses vnto them. Therewithall let vs marke also that Gods authorising of the Lawe was not for the Iewes onely; but to the ende that wee also at this day shoulde receiue the same with all humblenesse, and vnderstande that whosoeuer despiseth it, aduaunceth himselfe against the maiestie of the liuing God, and maketh warre against him. That is the thing which wee haue to remember where mention is made of the terriblenesse of Gods voyce, and of the fire that filled the aire. And thereuppon let vs marke (as hath beene treated of alreadie), that God promised a Prophet, not onely to the Iewes, but also to vs; and that it is a continuall order in his Church. So then, will wee bee reckened for the children of God? Let vs suffer our selues to bee gouerned by his word. Yea, and let vs not hold skorne to heare men that speake to vs in his name. But although they bee from among vs and of our owne companie, so as wee might alledge that we owe them no such duetie as in respect of their persons: yet notwithstāding seeing they be set in Gods steed, and by his will; let that suffice vs. And if we intend to honour God, and to haue him to reigne ouer vs: it behoueth vs to shew it in this case, by yeelding such obedience to his worde, as those whom he sendeth to vs be heard of vs. And hereof wee see what is saide by the Prophet Esay.